Grassroots cricket is in the spotlight with the announcement of the inaugural winners of Central Districts Cricket’s new Community Cricket QBE Insurance Awards.

Our partnership with QBE New Zealand — unveiled in January this year as part of a joint national initiative by five of New Zealand’s Major Associations, supports awards for some of the most deserving individuals in CD: the volunteers and umpires upon whom so many players depend every weekend in order to enjoy the game at Community level.

The awards also introduce a new Central Districts Club of the Year accolade, and CD Cricket’s Manager, Community and Capability Aidan O’Connor said the competition was hot.

“As a diverse region spread across the eight District Associations that make up CD, it’s been extremely gratifying to see compelling nominations pouring in from right across the area.

“It was a big task for the judges to whittle down the pile, and it’s exciting to see three different Districts — Taranaki, Horowhenua-Kāpiti and Hawke’s Bay — represented in the inaugural awards.

“Our winners are fantastic stories and examples of what this new tier of recognition is all about, and we’re delighted to be able to shine a light on their achievements through this new initiative.”

From this season, CD’s Community Cricket QBE Insurance awards form part of CD's annual awards evening.

The partnership has brought QBE’s long-standing commitment to supporting grassroots sport to New Zealand for the first time, and reinforces a shared dedication to inclusion, diversity and community engagement through cricket.

The full list of 2025/26 CD Cricket winners will be announced following the conclusion of the NZC Domestic season, at CD Cricket’s annual awards evening in Napier on 1 April. 

CD Community Cricket Awards 2025/26

QBE Insurance Volunteer of the Year

ROBIN DODD

Taradale Cricket Club Life Member Robin Dodd’s commitment to his club is nothing short of extraordinary — from serving as Treasurer and managing all funding applications, to running the bar and coordinating club events (including non-cricket events); to taking care of cleaning and maintaining both the clubhouse and changing rooms. 

Robin, a.k.a. 'Spike', has been pivotal in securing funding for Taradale CC’s major infrastructure projects, including the club’s new electronic scoreboard and upgraded cricket nets — investments that will benefit players for generations to come. 

His level of commitment is truly “out the gate”: tireless, consistent, and driven by genuine care for the club’s future.

Robin goes well beyond what could ever be expected of a volunteer. Everyone has his phone number, and they use it!

Teams contact him for everything from gear to logistics, he handles operational challenges and without hesitation, he’ll head down to the grounds to deliver what’s needed.

Remarkably, he seems busier now than when he was working full-time and his reliability and responsiveness mean teams can focus on playing and enjoying cricket — knowing the club’s operations are in safe hands. 

The impact is stability, growth, and a culture of support that flows through every grade. Robin sees the bigger picture.

He wants cricket to thrive, not just at Taradale, but across Hawke’s Bay. 

Whether it’s juniors, women’s or men’s cricket, he believes everyone matters and deserves opportunity.

He has boundless energy, and simply gets things done. Highly respected throughout the Hawke’s Bay cricket community, Robin knows just about everyone — and always takes the time to stop for a chat and genuinely ask how people are. 

Taradale Cricket Club can vouch that he is fantastic to work alongside: open-minded, collaborative, and focused on people, rather than ego.

At its heart, his contribution is about community.

It’s about creating an environment where people feel valued, supported and proud to belong, and CD Cricket is delighted to congratulate Robin on becoming the inaugural winner of the CD Community Cricket QBE Insurance Volunteer of the Year Award.

CD Community Cricket Awards 2025/26

QBE Insurance Club of the Year

MANGOREI CRICKET CLUB

Mangorei Cricket Club was reborn in 2023 after having been closed for many years. The Taranaki club first opened in 1933, and the impetus and work to bring back an icon of the past brings an exciting new chapter for both its community and Taranaki Cricket.

Scott Taylor’s passion for cricket and bringing a community together has helped drive this rennaissance.

It began with entering a men's team in Division 2 of the Taranaki Cricket men's club competition, and this year Mangorei CC has a men’s T20 team, Year 7 and 8 boys’ team, Year 8 team and Year 9 team — who also enjoy travelling outside the region to competitions.

In November, Mangorei CC introduced the “Pink Panthers” — a Year 9 and 10 girls’ team who made their debut in the annual Hawke’s Bay Cricket Camps, and won!

With a set of values that focus on integrity, community, excellence, respect, tradition, inclusivity and sportsmanship, the Mangorei cricket teams are developing many junior players — often with fathers and sons or daughters on the field at the same time.

Based up Mangorei Road, towards the mountain on the southeastern outskirts of New Plymouth, teams travel around the North Island and the club also hosts representative teams. 

Mangorei has been successful in gaining multiple sponsors through its strong community involvement; and clubrooms, nets and fields have all been upgraded. 

Well done to the visionary team driving Mangorei Cricket Club, our first CD Community Cricket QBE Insurance Club of the Year, into an exciting new chapter.

CD Community Cricket Awards 2025/26

QBE Insurance Umpire of the Year

GEORGE TUKAPUA

A respected official around both the Horowhenua-Kāpiti Cricket and wider Central Districts Cricket region, George Tukapua is a popular figure among umpires and players alike.

Of Muaūpoko, Ngāti Raukawa and Ngāti Tuwharetoa descent, this is George's fifth year umpiring, continuing a love for the sport that he discovered a little later in life than most players.

George didn't take up the game of cricket until his 30s, but once he did, he played well into his 60s. He played for Weraroa Cricket Club in Levin where he is a Life Member and holder of the all-time wicketkeeping dismissals record - some 340 of them.

Taking up umpiring has kept George connected to the people of the game as well as providing him with a fresh set of challenges.

Always willing to make himself available for any and all matches needing an umpire, George is committed to delivering his best performance every time - always ready and willing to listen to advice and feedback.

That willingness and drive to keep sharpening his own game has seen immense growth for George this season.

Earlier this summer he passed his Level 4 exam and, in January, he was appointed to stand in two women's national 'A' fixtures between Central Districts A and Wellington A at Levin's Donnelly Park.

That's on top of umpiring schools cricket, age-group rep games, club cricket in Horowhenua-Kāpiti (and Manawatū when they have needed him); CD Years 11&12, Mike Shrimpton Trophy and Copelin Cup matches.

George clearly loves the game, giving as much of his time as he can to cricket at many different levels.

He does it all with a smile on his face and a good sense of humour - a calm and friendly character, which also makes for being a good umpire.

When he's not at cricket, George is a keen family man. He and his wife Carol have adult daughters and grandchildren whose own talents and interests he is very proud of.

Central Districts Cricket is proud to congratulate George on becoming our first QBE Insurance CD Community Umpire of the Year.

Article added: Thursday 5 March 2026